Counterpoint Films producer and director Paola di Florio wrote to us after a screening of Home of the Brave that took place at Casa de América in Madrid. The Q&A that followed included a Skype call with Maria Liuzzo, the daughter of Viola Liuzzo, the subject of the film:

Mary just left me a voicemail saying she loved the crowd. I’m not surprised. … Thanks so much Gwen and Ryan [member of Madrid chapter of #BlackLivesMatter; president of Democrats Abroad Madrid] for making a terrific screening happen around the film! As a result of these meaningful exchanges with the audience, Mary’s life has been transformed.

Old Dog Documentaries producer John Ankele wrote to us after the theatrical premiere of their latest film, The Wisdom to Survive, which screened at the Rosendale Theater in New York:

You’ll be delighted to know that last night was nothing short of a huge success–thanks in large part to all your terrific outreach effort. It really paid off. The box office guy said it was the biggest audience they’ve ever had at Rosendale…Many different activist groups were represented. Enthusiastic feedback–people were clearly inspired & motivated with good discussion and networking afterwards…Clearly a model effort for future screenings in other communities–Congrats to you for putting it all in motion & knowing just what to do to keep it moving.

The filmmakers sold nearly $1,000 in DVDs at the screening. They truly reached their peeps, their core audience.

We helped Ben Kalina carry out his Kickstarter campaign for $15K to complete his film Shored Up. His email to us at the end of the campaign was bubbly and heartfelt and we’re pleased to share some of it here:

Well, we’re here. It was insane, and I know I wasn’t the perfect tweeter/fb’er/director, but you both more than made up for my slack in those areas and I really truly couldn’t have done this without you. I realize that in addition to what we originally agreed to, you have both essentially volunteered a lot of time for this campaign, and please know how much I recognize and appreciate all your efforts. I would have been lost in a pit of social media malaise without you, and just knowing you were both there made a big difference. From Democracy Now to 350.org, you helped out in ways I never anticipated, and which gave the Kickstarter campaign and the film a major boost.

Jo-Anne Velin, a filmmaker based in Berlin and member of The D-Word wrote to us:

“I was so impressed by your zesty optimism…I would hire you in a snap.”